In May 2009, 2.9 million people aged 15-64 years applied to enrol in a course of study. Of these, 93% gained a place and were enrolled in a course of study (table 12.26).

12.26 PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION(a) - May 2009

Males

Females

Persons

'000

'000

'000

Applied to enrol

1 355.8

1 525.6

2 881.4

Studying

1 275.6

1 401.4

2 676.9

Gained placement but deferred study

47.6

82.9

130.5

Unable to gain placement

32.6

41.3

73.9

(a) Persons aged 15-64 years.

Source: ABS data available on request, 2009 Survey of Education and Work.

In the period 2004-09, the demand for enrolment in a course of study increased. For example, applications from people aged 20-24 years increased by 14% (graph 12.27). The number of 20-24 year olds studying increased by 15% over the same period and the number of 25-64 year olds studying increased by 12%.

12.27 DEMAND FOR EDUCATION, by age group

Many young people continue in full-time education immediately after completing compulsory schooling, either in post-compulsory schooling or in other forms of education, such as VET. In May 2009, 69% of 15-19 year olds were in full-time education (including 51% still at school). Some young people return to full-time study following a period of absence after completing compulsory schooling. In the 20-24 years age cohort, excluding persons still at school, 29% were undertaking full-time tertiary study and 11% were undertaking part-time tertiary study (table 12.28).

Many people aged 25 years and over return to study, to upgrade their skills or to gain new skills, often while employed. Some 6% of all persons aged 25-64 years in May 2009, were studying part-time at a tertiary institution, compared with 3% studying full-time.

12.28 EDUCATION PARTICIPATION RATES - May 2009

Age group (years)

15-19

20-24

25-64

%

%

%

Attending school

50.9

0.1

-

Attending tertiary(a)

Full time

18.4

29.2

2.5

Part time

7.7

10.7

6.0

Total

26.1

39.9

8.5

Attending

77.0

39.9

8.6

Not attending

23.0

60.1

91.4

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)

(a) Educational institutions other than schools.

Source: ABS data available on request, 2009 Survey of Education and Work.

Between 2004 and 2009, the enrolment of 20-24 year olds in tertiary study increased by 16%. The number of full-time participants in this age group increased by 80,600 (22%) compared with an increase in part-time participation of 2,400 (2%). Over the same period, there was a 10% growth in the number of 15-19 year old participants. While the number of 25-64 year old participants increased by 12% overall, full-time participation by this age group increased by 28%, whereas part-time participation increased by 6% (graph 12.29).

12.29 Participation in Tertiary Education, By age group

Education and work

Graph 12.30 shows the labour force status of all students aged 15-64 years in May 2009. Labour force participation was lowest among those in Year 12 or below (40%) and greatest for those undertaking a Certificate III or IV (86%). Of the 1.6 million students who were employed in May 2009, some 41% were enrolled for a Bachelor degree or above.

Among young people enrolled to study in May 2009, full-time employment was much higher among those aged 20-24 years than those aged 15-19 (22% compared with 8%). In both age groups, students who undertook part-time study were more frequently employed full-time than part-time.

Full-time participation

The 'full-time participation rate' describes the proportion of the population who are fully engaged in education or work or a combination of both. This includes: full-time education; full-time work; or both part-time education and part-time work. The full-time participation rate can be useful to determine the proportion of young people not fully engaged in education and/or work, and who might be at risk of future marginal participation in the labour market.

In May 2009, 224,200 (16%) young people aged 15-19 years and 336,600 (22%) 20-24 year olds were not full-time participants. Some 54,000 (4%) 15-19 year olds and 109,000 (7%) 20-24 year olds were neither enrolled to study nor in the labour force (table 12.31).

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